Sinar Harian reported that Nazrulhisham Mahmud, 46, who entered his plea before judge Surita Budin, was charged with groping the boy in the wardens’ lounge on May 18 and June 12, and in the rugby room on May 25.

Two of the charges were under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 and the third under Section 14(d), read together with Section 16.

Each of the charges provides for up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a whipping.

Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Balkis Zunaidi proposed bail of RM30,000 per charge, and that Nazrulhisham be required to report to a nearby police station, surrender his passport to the court, and refrain from disturbing witnesses.

Lawyer Siti Nabila Hamzah, however, appealed for her client to be given the minimum bail amount, arguing that a high amount would be tantamount to punishing him.

She also said that he had three children and supported his elderly parents.

“Though he is not the primary breadwinner, it would affect his family’s welfare,” she said.

The court set bail at RM10,000 for each charge, granted the conditions requested by the prosecution, and set Dec 16 for remention of the case and the handover of documents and medical report.